Location: Three Arlington Square, Downshire Way, Bracknell RG12 1WA

Type of contract: JCT 2016 Design and Build.

Overview:

Acquired through competitive tender and heavy VE negotiations, we undertook works to create a new entrance feature, refurbish the reception and create a new business lounge. Externally we built a gym pod and padel court and to compliment these works, a package of external finishes was implemented. The external works were quite significant and challenging; to physically create space at the rear of the building for the new amenities, the existing landscaping was removed, sections of retaining walls were cut out and reformed to retain the existing structure and allow the new items to be installed.

On completion of the civils and groundworks package, we erected a steel and timber frame building with glazed front to form the gym pod. Its sleek look was completed by finishing the building with standing seam material. The padel court was imported directly from Spain and installed to competition standards. The external finishes were then completed in the remaining space and included porcelain and resin bound gravel complimented with planting.

To highlight the entrance to the building, we installed new entrance doors and a feature structure which formed a canopy to the entrance: this framed it and gave it some presence. To provide an internal open plan arrangement, we removed the structural shear wall in front of the lifts, created an extremely large opening which allowed access from the front to the rear. At the back of this open plan area, we created a shower and changing area for the padel court, business lounge with seating and tea point. The external porcelain tiles continued internally throughout the ground floor and into the entrance porch structure. The ground floor area was completed with a biophilia package.